What Are Your N770 Experiences Compared To Zaurus? Options

[dhns]

Dear early adopters of the N770,
as a potential platform for some of my Zaurus applications I consider to add Nokia 770 versions.

Since I am still waiting to get one and have to learn the (different) SDK first, I would like to use the time to hear about your experiences compared to a Zaurus.

Some questions coming to my mind:
* how does the display compare (brightness)?
* is the screen resolution of 400x800px a recognizable improvement?
* how good can it be used without a built-in (clamshell) keyboard?
* what about operation time?
* device handling (thicker, thinner, larger, smaller)?
* how stable and complete is the software compared to a Zaurus Sharp/Qtopia ROM?
* how is performance compared to a Zaurus?

Many thanks,

-- hns

[bluedevils]

I look forward to more impressions from you. I currently use my 6000 as a home web machine and wonder how it stacks up. This was purchased at a simlar price to the msrp of the nokia and has built in wifi. The main hardware diff would then be the keyboard, display width and built in bluetooth.

[dhns]

I look forward to more impressions from you.

Now,
after some days of getting used how to operate the N770 here are some more impressions (compared to SL5500G, C860 and C3000).

First and very important note: my N770 uses software version 3.2005.51-13 which is the latest available dated 31 Dec 2005 (http://europe.nokia.com/nokia/0,,79636,00.html)

Here the positive impressions:

+ works right out of the box for WLAN
+ has very good WLAN sensitivity - much better than my G4 Powerbook
+ sleep mode has a nice solution - sleeps after approx. 30 seconds and wakes up when touching the screen or removing the cover
+ screen-keyboard comes up when needed (at least mostly)
+ slightly thinner than a C860 (60% without cover, 80% with)
+ It was very easy to install Xterm through the Browser and a WLAN connection.
Takes approx. 5 minutes to enable WLAN,
type (see below) http://www.maemo.org,
locate the X-term package within the downloads,
click the link to download, and choose a location to store it in memory,
find the downloaded package in the file manager and double-click.
That is all.
+ Managing the WLAN-connection is easy but still slightly more complex than on MacOS X (e.g. you have to reselect the network from time to time while MacOS X remembers networks)

Neutral:

O larger display makes no noticeable difference for Web-Pages
O Screen layout is so that the active area for application windows (e.g. the Xterm or a Web page) is not larger than on a Zaurus
O same width&height as C860 + SanDisk WLAN card
O Speed is the same (in average). Some functions feel to be slower others faster but there is no specific pattern (I have not timed anything in detail).

Drawbacks:

- protection Cover is difficult to handle - you have to unplug the N770 from the charger to remove the cover; and removing it separates the device completely into two parts which is more difficult to manipulate (needs two hands) than the C860/C3100 twistable display
- typing on the screen keyboard is not really optimized. Important characters like : and * are only available by using the shift key. It is *very* difficult to type UNIX commands into the Xterm. For that, a Zaurus is unbeatable
- Software is focussed around Web surfing. To have a decent PIM, you have to install GPE-calendar etc. first.

So, my first impression:
* good device (I don't see the word excellent fit compared to a Zaurus)
* good software, mostly stable
* a Zaurus is much better and easier to use if you want to type and take notes on your portable device (Terminal, Text-Editor)
* Any PDA is better for PIM applications (this might change of course by a new software download)
* is better suited for connectivity
* larger screen resolution and size doesn't make a significant difference in daily life
* expandability of the Zaurus is much more advanced (has SD and CF slots); The Zaurus SD slot is much easier to operate
* a Zaurus gives a more advanced mechanical impression

Finally, I come to the conclusion that a Zaurus C3100 with built-in WLAN and Bluetooth could cost twice a Nokia N770 and I would still prefer a Zaurus... (Sharp - do you listen???)

The next things I will try with it (unfortunately my WLAN access point is broken):
* how to access the Xserver from external or how to access an external Xserver (i.e. use my Mac as a large screen and keyboard)
* how to write software, compile and install from a non-Linux system (i.e. Mac & Xcode)

-- hns